The Daily Venezuela, After Maduro
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Jan 6, 2026 
Anatoly Kurmanaev, a New York Times reporter with deep insight into Venezuela's dynamics, dives into the controversial selection of Delcy Rodríguez as interim leader over opposition figure María Corina Machado. He discusses the surreal atmosphere in Caracas post-Maduro and why elites prefer Delcy's technocratic approach. Kurmanaev unpacks the implications of her market-oriented reforms and how they're aimed at stabilizing the economy. Venezuelans hold a tempered hope for the future, reflecting both resilience and fatigue.
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Why Delcy Over Machado
- Trump prioritized continuity that would protect oil and stabilize migration rather than ideological purity.
- Delcy sold herself as a reliable guardian of Venezuela's oil and investor interests.
Purity Clashes With Transactional Politics
- María Corina Machado's consistency and refusal to negotiate became a liability with a transactional Trump administration.
- Her purist stance alienated officials seeking deals and intelligence inside Venezuela.
Grenell's Dealmaking Clash
- Richard Grenell tried to negotiate directly with Maduro's officials to free detained Americans and secure deals.
- Machado refused to negotiate, which caused clashes and eroded her standing with U.S. envoys.